I went to turn on the truck when the all I heard was the familiar "click-click-click" that signified the battery was going dead. '97 ford ranger 3.0 4x2. When I moved the truck in the street to get a jump i noticed on the oily substance on the inner fender that shot out from the powersteering reservoir. Is this normal? The battery is original to the truck it lasted 8 years. The only thing I could figure is that pressure built up while I was steering the truck into the street and it shot out through the vent hole.

 

I have a 3.0 liter mazda b3000 (same set up) and when I was changing out the brake pads I turned the wheel and noticed that some rather red looking liquid had shot out over the fender (power steering fluid) The filler tubes for the P.S. pump has leaked on most fords with the same set up. Nothing to worry about but I would have the battery checked at auto zone.

 

yeap, its normal. just take it to a car wash and wash the engine compartment.